{"id":13348,"date":"2022-01-24T12:37:05","date_gmt":"2022-01-24T07:07:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.odoc.life\/?page_id=13348"},"modified":"2022-05-23T10:53:23","modified_gmt":"2022-05-23T05:23:23","slug":"second-trimester-of-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.odoc.life\/ta\/blog\/second-trimester-of-pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"The Second Trimester"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Second Trimester<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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<\/i><\/span>Shares<\/small><\/div>
<\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span>\n<\/i><\/a><\/span>\n<\/i><\/a><\/span>\n<\/i><\/a><\/span>\n<\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/span> Post Views:<\/span> 6,422<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div> <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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They say there is no better feeling than the movement of life inside of you and that is the most magical thing about the second trimester of pregnancy. You can feel the life inside you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

By the second trimester, you probably are more used to all the changes you have been experiencing the last 12 weeks. So let’s have a look at what’s in store for the next 13 weeks of your pregnancy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

If you haven’t read our blog on the <\/span>First Trimester<\/span><\/a> yet, we’d suggest you start there and then hop back to this.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

When does the second trimester of pregnancy start?<\/b><\/p>

The second trimester of pregnancy starts at the beginning of week 13 and goes up all the way till the end of week 26.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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So, what changes happen to the body during the second trimester?<\/b><\/p>

Breast tenderness reduces, nausea begins to cease, and adjustment to estrogen and progesterone levels occurs. Other changes that happen to your body are:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

  1. Increase in <\/span>appetite <\/b>as your baby starts to grow\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  2. Aches in your lower abdomen<\/b> may occur as your uterus expands to make space for the abby. This puts pressure on the surrounding muscle and ligaments, causing cramps and pains. A warm bath, relaxation exercises, changing your body’s position, or pressing a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel to your lower belly can help ease the pain.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  3. Increase in weight<\/b> due to the increase in appetite<\/span><\/li>
  4. The increase in weight can also cause <\/span>backaches\u00a0<\/b><\/li>
  5. Bleeding gums<\/b> due to changes in hormone levels sending more blood to your gums, making them more sensitive and increasing the likeliness of bleeding.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  6. Some women may experience<\/span> tightening in their uterus walls<\/b> for a minute or two (also known as <\/span>Braxton-Hicks contractions<\/b>). This is very normal and isn’t a sign of natural labour.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  7. Further<\/span> enlargement of breasts<\/b> occurs as the mammary glands prep for lactation.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  8. Congestion<\/b> occurs as the mucus membranes lining your nose swells, leading to a stuffy nose. Your <\/span>nose may tend to bleed<\/b> more easily too.<\/span><\/li>
  9. Some women may experience <\/span>dizziness<\/b> as the growing uterus presses against the blood vessels, reducing blood reaching your brain.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  10. Unwanted <\/span>hair growth<\/b><\/li>
  11. Headaches<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  12. Increased Progesterone levels cause <\/span>heartburn<\/b> as it relaxes the muscle responsible for keeping acids in your stomach.<\/span><\/li>
  13. Varicose<\/b> veins may occur as extra blood flows through them and the growing uterus exerts additional pressure.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    Sounds a bit scary doesn’t it? But do not worry, it’s a few weeks of hardship for a lifetime of happiness. As soon as you see your little one’s face, all the hardship will be forgotten in seconds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

    It is important to note that these symptoms may or may not be experienced by all women, and the severity, occurrence and duration of these changes can change from woman to woman.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

    \u00a0So, what changes does the baby go through?<\/b><\/p>

    It is said that the second trimester of pregnancy marks a changing point not only for the mother but for the baby too. This is when the fetus grows into a baby. <\/span>All organs and systems are fully formed by the second trimester. During the second trimester, your baby will grow from around 7.5cm and weigh 30 grams in the 13th week to approximately 23cm and 820 grams by the end of the second trimester. Their heart moves 100 pints of blood a day.<\/span> During the second trimester, the fetus begins to move and starts kicking. The mother can feel this, and it is known as quickening and trust me, this feeling is unmatchable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

    The baby grows eyelashes and eyebrows during the second trimester and it\u2019s eyes and ears are formed so your baby can hear your voice when you speak. It is encouraged you speak to them to give them company. Their tiny fingers and toes separate and grow nails too. Development of reflexes such as swallowing and sucking also occurs. The baby starts reacting to external stimuli and starts interacting with the outside world while being inside<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

    A fetus born at 24 weeks may survive in a neonatal intensive care unit.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    If you experience any of the following, please seek medical help urgently<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>